R
Robert Harrison
Guest
I was a youth, not sixteen years
Who thought the world to see,
And overcoming all my fears
I signed up for nine and three.*
A foolish move some oft would speak
To accept the old Queen’s shilling,
To take in payment five a week,
But I was more than willing.
Joining with others the military band
Of the North Staffordshire Regiment.
And with clarinet in unsure hand
Sucked and blew to others resentment.
For the first nine months I tried in vain,
To produce an acceptable noise.
And youthful dreams began to wane,
Then to Egypt, I went with the boys.
But a change of country and of clime,
Did not improve me as a player
A transfer was made, not before time,
And I found myself in Malaya.
A musician I knew I would not make,
My transfer, a self-imposed dismissal.
So I served my time, and then sent home
To show how the army had taught me to whistle.
· Nine years with the colors
· Three years in army reserve
.
Who thought the world to see,
And overcoming all my fears
I signed up for nine and three.*
A foolish move some oft would speak
To accept the old Queen’s shilling,
To take in payment five a week,
But I was more than willing.
Joining with others the military band
Of the North Staffordshire Regiment.
And with clarinet in unsure hand
Sucked and blew to others resentment.
For the first nine months I tried in vain,
To produce an acceptable noise.
And youthful dreams began to wane,
Then to Egypt, I went with the boys.
But a change of country and of clime,
Did not improve me as a player
A transfer was made, not before time,
And I found myself in Malaya.
A musician I knew I would not make,
My transfer, a self-imposed dismissal.
So I served my time, and then sent home
To show how the army had taught me to whistle.
· Nine years with the colors
· Three years in army reserve
.